Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research
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Analysis of soil compaction induced beneath the working depth due to tilling action of different active tillage machinery
No full textAim of study: To quantify the data regarding soil compaction induced beneath the tillage working depth purely due to the tilling action of the different active tillage machinery in sandy loam soil.
Area of study: Research Farm, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India
Material and methods: The data were quantified in terms of cone index (CI), bulk density, and porosity. Its comparison was also made with conventional practice followed by the farmers, involving only passive-tillage tools (i.e. cultivator and disc harrow). The results did not represent the tractor-imposed soil compaction under the tires.
Main results: The maximum soil compaction beneath the working depth in terms of increment in soil CI occurred with rotavator followed by conventional practice, PTO-operated disc tiller, and power harrow, which are in the range of 6.67-7.05%, 5.17-5.29%, 4.29-4.97%, and 2.08-2.36%, respectively. The increment in bulk density was similar to that as mentioned above with values in the range of 3.96-4.06%, 2.30-2.42%, 1.71-1.88%, and 1.31-1.40%, respectively. Furthermore, the maximum decrement in soil porosity occurred with rotavator followed by conventional practice, PTO-operated disc tiller, and power harrow which were in the range of 5.67-6.61%, 2.74-2.94%, 1.71-1.88%, and 2.06-2.25%, respectively.
Research highlights: The active tillage rotary machinery cause soil compaction due to the applied compressive force on the soil during their tilling action. They create optimal topsoil tilth but can compact deeper soil due to blade speed, necessitating the selection of ideal rotational and forward speeds to minimize this compaction
Animal performance, carcass characteristics and beef quality of steers fed with a whole oat or maize grain-based diet
No full textAim of study: We evaluated the use of oat grain as an alternative source of energy to maize grain in high energy finishing diets. Maize crop production in arid and semi-arid areas is poor or non-existent. Thus, small grains such as oats have become an alternative in high energy rations due to their versatility and ease of cultivation.
Area of study: Semiarid region of Buenos Aires province, Argentina
Material and methods: Sixteen Angus steers were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments based on whole oats grain (OD) or whole maize grain (MD) for 61 days. Diets were formulated iso-nitrogenous and iso-energetic. Animal performance, carcass attributes and beef quality traits were evaluated. Longissimus thoracis steaks were wet-aged at 4°C for either 4 or 14 days.
Main results: Similar results were found between OD and MD for the variables of performance, carcass evaluation and water retention in fresh meat. No interactions between diet and ageing period were found for any of the variables evaluated. The MD beef was lighter and had a redder appearance than the OD beef. The 4 days-aged beef showed higher values of L*, a* and b* and was more saturated than the 14 days-aged beef. However, the perception of beef colour by the human eye, evaluated through the CIEDE2000 metric, showed no differences among diets and ageing periods.
Research highlights: Oat grain could be used in replacement of maize grain as an energy source in fattening rations of beef cattle, obtaining similar animal performance and meat quality
Sustainability and growth: Evidence from Spanish wine industry
No full textAim of study: To analyze the compatibility of sustainability with the business growth of wineries in Spain.
Area of study: The data used come from a survey conducted in the years 202 and 2021, which was addressed to the all wineries located in Spain.
Material and methods: The economic growth of wineries is conditioned by different factors; in this work we have analyzed the orientation towards sustainability, business resources and capabilities (marketing, innovation, marketing, human resources, network resources, management resources and financial resources), profitability and exports. The empirical analysis was carried out by studying the responses received after a first mail sent to all independent wineries, with a subsequent telephone call. The number of responses, 411, represents 14% of the population. Using the regression model, estimated by OLS with Robust Errors proposed by Eiker-White, the factors determining the economic growth of the wineries were analyzed. The analysis done was exploratory.
Main results: The results show that the factors that most favor the growth of Spanish wine companies are management capabilities, sustainability orientation and financial resources.
Research highlights: Two relevant factors for growth are management capabilities and sustainability orientation. This reaffirms the compatibility of opting for sustainability and business growth in the case of Spanish wineries. And it allows to give arguments to the positive discourse between growth and sustainability of economic activities
Effect of potato contact parameters on seed metering performance using discrete element method
No full textAim of study: To study the effect of potato surface with or without sandy loam soil on seed metering performance, we investigated the motion behaviour of the potato seed particles during the seed metering process using a self-designed across-bridge metering device by discrete element method (DEM).
Area of study: Tonganyi Town, Dingxi, Gansu, China
Material and methods: First, the contact characteristics of potatoes were measured using some novel devices. Second, simulations were performed under the same experimental conditions to verify the reliability of the contact parameters. Finally, the velocity and angular velocity of the seed in the seed box and the number of seeds taken by the large spoon during the taking and clearing process were analysed using ANOVA.
Main results: The coefficients of static friction (SF) and rolling friction (RF) of seed particles with soil were smaller than those without soil and had the highest values between particles and plastic, followed by between particles and steel, and between particles. Further, the rates of metering single seed particle in simulation and experiment were 98.17% and 97.57%, respectively. The rate of missing seed particles was 1.83% and 2.43%, respectively; it was found to significantly decrease as RF increased from 0.01 to 0.06 to 0.12, and the resultant angular velocity and velocity also significantly decreased as SF increased from 0.1 to 0.5 to 1.0. In addition, the number of seeds taken by the large spoon also reduced.
Research highlights: Therefore, potato seed particles surface with or without soil can significantly affect the seeding performance and highlight the need for surface treatment using mechanised metering
Reproductive physiology and sexual compatibility of the Spanish olive variety ‘Arbequina’ cultivated in Montenegro
No full textAim of study: One of the newly introduced olive varieties in Montenegro is the Spanish olive (Olea europaea L.) variety ‘Arbequina’. The aim of this work was to study the changes in the reproductive physiology of the cultivar 'Arbequina' in conditions of Montenegro.
Area of study: Comparative experimental plots were established in two areas in Montenegro, the coastal region of Ulcinj and the inland region of Podgorica.
Material and methods: The research was conducted at four experimental sites (UL1 and UL2 in Ulcinj; PG1 and PG2, in Podgorica) over four years. Flowering phenophases, inflorescence characteristics, and inflorescence architecture were assessed. Pollination trials consisted of open-pollination, self-pollination, and cross-pollination of ‘Arbequina’ with several olive varieties, resulting in an assessment of fruit set.
Main results: A high level of fruit set (6.75%) in ‘Arbequina’ in open-pollination was recorded in the multi-varietal orchard (PG2). A much lower fruit set was found in the mono-varietal hedgerow orchards (0.75% in PG1 and 0.33% in UL2). The fruit set was very low in the mono-varietal orchards in self-pollination trials, ranging from 0.01% (PG1) to 0.06% (UL1).
Research highlights: These results confirm that ‘Arbequina’ is a self-incompatible variety, which is crucial both for farmers in establishing new plantations and for scientists in future research. Some of the 11 olive varieties cross-pollinated with the ‘Arbequina’ variety displayed pollinating potential, which needs to be proven with paternity tests. Despite the differences between experimental sites and areas, ‘Arbequina’ exhibited high reproductive potential, confirmed by many perfect flowers
Analysis and evaluation of a dynamic model for greenhouse lettuce growth
No full textAim of study: We analyzed and evaluated a nonlinear dynamic crop growth model called NICOLET B3, which can predict the dry and fresh matter content of lettuce in greenhouses.
Area of study: Calibration was performed using experimental data obtained from the literature. The experiment was carried out in Saltillo, Mexico, and in a greenhouse in Beijing, China.
Material and methods: We identified and discussed the feasibility of the studied model with multi-dimensional evaluation criteria. Meanwhile, a sensitivity analysis of input variables was conducted. After that, the least square identification method was used to calibrate the most sensitive parameter values to improve the robustness of the model.
Main results: Results demonstrate that: i) the NICOLET B3 model is able to predict the fresh and dry matter production of lettuce with satisfactory accuracy verified (R2 = 0.9939 for fresh matter and R2 = 0.9858 for dry matter); ii) temperature has the most obvious impact on the model performance, compared with photosynthetically active radiation and CO2 concentration; iii) the model could perform well with only two inputs.
Research highlights: Simulation results of evaluated NICOLET B3 model have a perfect goodness-of-fit. A method of calibrating parameters of the model and sensitivity analysis of three input variables of the model can facilitate its application
Immigration and occupational accidents: A comparative study of accident severity among foreign and Spanish citizens in the agricultural sector
No full textAim of study: The objective of this paper was to understand the differences between immigrants and Spanish workers in terms of duration of sick leave, for work accidents in Spain’s agricultural sector, to propose possible action plans and improve the sector’s future accident rates, with equal conditions for immigrants and Spanish workers.
Area of study: The analysis was based in a total of 158,166 accidents in Spain from 2013 to 2018
Material and methods: The average number of working days lost per group (Spanish and immigrants) has been calculated for the different variables. For each case, a mean comparison analysis was performed using Student's t-test to independently compare nationals and immigrants for each variable.
Main results: The agricultural sector produces a high level of severe accident rates compared to other sectors, as incident rates of death are 59.36% higher in agriculture compared to other sectors. It has the highest level of accidents for foreign workers, as immigrants presented 91.36% more accidents that Spaniards, even if accidents for immigrants are under reported, as regarding workdays lost due to injuries reported, these are statistically higher for Spanish workers. This meaning that this sector is more precarious, and this is worse for immigrants, therefore is a compelling matter of social justice that deserve the establishment of policies for government and companies to equate work conditions between immigrants and Spaniards.
Research highlights: A comparative analysis of the severity of occupational accidents between Spanish and foreign workers in Spain’s agricultural sector
The modernization of traditional vineyards into intensive trellis systems reduces the species richness and abundance of reptiles
No full textAim of the study: Traditional vineyards have, in the last few decades, been transformed into trellis systems, but little research has been carried out into the consequences as regards biodiversity. We compared the abundance and species richness of reptiles in conventional-traditional vineyards and trellis vineyards.
Area of study: The study was conducted in a wine appellation area of origin denominated as Montilla-Moriles, Southern Spain.
Material and methods: Reptile’s species richness and abundance were estimated by walking transects in 24 different vineyards (12 trellis and 12 traditional vineyards) in four consecutive years.
Main results: The results showed an extremely low abundance in both management systems, since no reptiles were recorded in 43.1% of the transects. However, there was a greater abundance and diversity of reptiles in the traditional vineyards than in the trellis vineyards, with 7 vs. 3 species being found in traditional and trellis vineyards, respectively.
Research highlights: The lack of refuge in trellis vineyards owing to the vertical growth of plants, whose branches grow higher from the ground, is probably the main cause of the lower abundance and species richness found in trellis systems, since both types of vineyard had bare ground owing to ploughing and the application of herbicides. Since the transformation of traditional vineyards into those with trellis systems is often subsidized, this modernization should be accompanied by certain agri-environmental measures (e.g., cover crops, artificial refuges or natural hedges) in order to compensate for the associated negative effects
Greenhouse gas emissions associated to sprinkler-irrigated alfalfa under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions
No full textAim of the study: Alfalfa is one the most important forage legume crop worldwide but little information is available regarding to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) under Mediterranean sprinkler-irrigated conditions.
Area of study: Middle Ebro valley, Spain
Materials and methods: The GHG emissions during two alfalfa growing periods (4th and 5th stands) were evaluated using both the static method chambers and two automatic chambers coupled with a photoacoustic equipment that measured short-term gas emissions.
Main results: Year-average CH4 fluxes were -0.71 g C ha-1 day-1, generally no significantly different from zero. Year-average N2O flux was 3.96 g N ha-1 day-1 with higher fluxes associated to some specific large rainfall or irrigation events. Average cumulative emissions of 865 g N ha-1 year-1 were found. We found short-term peaks of N2O (up to 160 g N ha-1 day-1) associated with high values of soil water filled pore space (WFPS) that can go unnoticed using the static chamber procedure. In spite of the higher soil NO3‾ concentration in the alfalfa-precedent field compared to the maize-precedent field, no significant differences in cumulative N2O emissions were observed in the two-month period after alfalfa or maize residues incorporation.
Research highlights: Low GHG emissions were found in an irrigated alfalfa crop compared to N-fertilized crops but a deeper knowledge of the limiting factors of denitrification observed during some anoxic events (WFPS>90%) is necessary to properly quantify N2O emissions in irrigated alfalfa